EP0164722A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic test system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-06-10
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-06-10
Abstract
Abstract O A plurality of test probes (12), which may be articulated, are stored in a magazine (10) and can be selectively transferred to a test head (14) when it is positioned adjacent the magazine (10) (step 1) A base member (16) supports the head (14) and contacts the probes (12) (step 2). Then by supporting a circuit board (22) in contact with the probes (12) various tests can be effected via the probes (12) (step 3). Finally, the probes (12) can be restored to the magazine (10) (step 4).
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Johnson Dr. Black
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 03:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R1/00; G01R1/02; G01R1/06; G01R1/067; G01R1/073; G01R1/07392; G01R1/04; G01R1/07307; G01R1/07342
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
An automatic fixturing system for printed circuit board testing characterised by: a magazine (10) for temporarily storing a plurality of probes (12) therein, ,a test head (14) adapted to receive selected ones of the probes (12) and position the probes in a pattern matching test points on a printed circuit board (22), means (36) for supporting the test head (14) adjacent to the magazine (10) and in a position to receive probes (12) from the magazine (10), means (38) for transferring selected ones of the probes (12) from the magazine (10) to the test head (14), a base member (16) positioned adjacent the test head (14) on one side thereof in a position to contact the base of each probe, and means (40) for supporting the printed circuit board (22) adjacent the test head (14) on an opposite side thereof to the base member (16) with the head of each probe (12) adapted to be in intimate contact with a test point on the printed circuit board (22).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
An automatic fixturing system for printed circuit board testing characterised by: a magazine (10) for temporarily storing a plurality of probes (12) therein, ,a test head (14) adapted to receive selected ones of the probes (12) and position the probes in a pattern matching test points on a printed circuit board (22), means (36) for supporting the test head (14) adjacent to the magazine (10) and in a position to receive probes (12) from the magazine (10), means (38) for transferring selected ones of the probes (12) from the magazine (10) to the test head (14), a base member (16) positioned adjacent the test head (14) on one side thereof in a position to contact the base of each probe, and means (40) for supporting the printed circuit board (22) adjacent the test head (14) on an opposite side thereof to the base member (16) with the head of each probe (12) adapted to be in intimate contact with a test point on the printed circuit board (22).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said test head (14) comprises a probe plate (14A) and a base plate (14B), said probe and base plates being positioned substantially in parallel and separated by a spacing therebetween comparable to the probe length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said probe plate (14A) is disposed adjacent said printed circuit board (22) and said base plate (14B) is disposed adjacent said base member (16) during testing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said probes (12) are transferred in multiple groups with said probe plate (14A) being laterally displaceable relative to said base plate (14B) to temporarily align holes in the base plate (14B) with holes in the probe plate (14A) for the purpose of probe group transfer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 4 wherein the holes in the base plate (14B) are disposed in a repeatable matrix pattern while the holes in the probe plate (14A) are disposed in a test pattern arrangement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said means for transferring probes includes injector means (38).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said injector means comprises a plurality of injector rods (38) disposed in a matrix corresponding to the holes in the test head (14).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said base member comprises a base receiver (16) including a housing having a base plate (26) supporting a plurality of electrical contact elements (30).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the electrical contact elements (30) are disposed in an array corresponding positionally to the probe bases.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said base member (16) carries electrical contact elements (30)'disposed in an array corresponding positionally to the holes in the test head base plate (14B) and hence to the bases of any probes (12) occupying said holes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein each probe (12) comprises an articulated probe which permits offset thereof when disposed in said test head (14).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said articulated probe comprises a barrel (1) supporting at one end a base terminal (4) for providing electrical contact and at the other end supporting a probe head (12).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said base terminal (4) includes a plunger retained within the barrel (1) but capable of short axial movement within the barrel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 13 including an intermediate disposed spring retainer (2) disposed in the barrel (1) between ends thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
59 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 14 including one compression spring (8) located within the barrel (1) between the center spring retainer (2) and the upper end of the base terminal (4), and a second compression spring (11) located within the barrel (1) between an upper spring retainer (9) and the intermediately disposed spring retainer (2).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
67 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 15 wherein a portion (15) of the probe head (12) immediately above the lower end is reduced in diameter so as to permit the head to move axially down into the barrel (1) and also to permit a limited degree of rotation of the probe head (12) about a point located within the lower end of the head.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 16 wherein the lower surface (16) of the probe head (12) is hemispherical in design and sits within a conical depression in the top of the plunger or upper spring retainer (9) thereby ensuring circumferential line contact.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein said magazine (10) comprises upper and lower plates (27,28) and a circumferential frame (29) supporting said upper and lower plates in spaced relation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 18 further comprising a composite plate (30,31) parallel to the upper and lower plates (27,28).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 19 wherein said composite plate comprises a thin sheet of elastomer material (30) bonded between two rigid plates (31).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 20 wherein a matrix pattern of axially aligned holes matching the pattern of holes in the test head lower plate (14B) is drilled through the composite plate structure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 21 including means associated with said magazine (10) for locating the magazine within the test head assembler mechanism.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said test head (14) comprises a rigid rectangular frame (36) of width and length comparable to that of the magazine (10) with the frame incorporating means (37) for locating the test head (14) within the assembler mechanism.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 23 wherein said test head comprises an outer frame (36) and an inner frame (39) disposed within the outer frame (36) and free to move a short distance parallel to at least one pair of sides of the test head outer frame (36).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 24 in combination with a test head assembler which comprises'a mechanism mounted on a heavy base plate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
65 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 25 in combination with a fixture assembler mechanism which, under computer control, is capable of automatically loading probes from the magazine into the fixture into a configuration suitable for testing a specified printed circuit board; and subsequently unloading the probes from the fixture back into the magazine on completion of testing.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 26 wherein the loading and unloading are carried out in a relatively short period of time.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
59 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 27 wherein the base member (16) is adapted to accept and accommodate configured fixtures mechanically and electrically thereby providing a direct electrical connection between each probe and a suitable input/output terminal on an external PCB test system via an interface connector located in the receiver.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
58 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 28 wherein, in the case of bare board testing, the base member (16) is wired so as to significantly reduce the total number of input/output terminals dedicated to the fixturing system wherein said reduction is achieved by electrically gaining contacts in the base in combinations of at least pairs.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
125 words
An automatic fixturing system for printed circuit board testing characterised by: a test head (14) containing a plurality of probes (12) disposed therein, with the base end (4) of all probes (12) being in a predetermined matrix pattern and the head end (17) of the probes being in a test point pattern, a base member (16) positioned adjacent the test head (14) on one side thereof in a position to contact the base of each probe (12), and means (40) for supporting a printed circuit board (22) adjacent its test head (14) on an opposite side thereof to the base member (16) with the head of each probe (12) adapted to be in intimate contact with a test point on the printed circuit board (22).
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
125 words
An automatic fixturing system for printed circuit board testing characterised by: a test head (14) containing a plurality of probes (12) disposed therein, with the base end (4) of all probes (12) being in a predetermined matrix pattern and the head end (17) of the probes being in a test point pattern, a base member (16) positioned adjacent the test head (14) on one side thereof in a position to contact the base of each probe (12), and means (40) for supporting a printed circuit board (22) adjacent its test head (14) on an opposite side thereof to the base member (16) with the head of each probe (12) adapted to be in intimate contact with a test point on the printed circuit board (22).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
66 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 30 further including a magazine (10) for temporarily storing the plurality of probes (12), means for supporting the test head (14) adjacent the magazine (10) and in a position to receive probes (12) from the magazine (10) and, means (38) for transferring selected ones of the probes (12) from the magazine (10) to the test head (14).
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
51 words
. An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 31 wherein said means for transferring includes ejector rod means (38), said means for supporting the printed circuit board including a pressure plate (40) for being urged against the printed circuit board (22) by means of said ejector rod means (38).
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 32 wherein said test head (14) comprises a probe plate (14A) and a base plate (14B), said probe and base plates being positioned substantially in parallel and separated by a spacing therebetween comparable to the probe length.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
46 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in 'claim 33 wherein one of said probe plate (14A) and base plate (14B) is movable slightly relative to the other so as to align the probes for the purpose of probe transfer between the magazine and test head.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
45 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 30 wherein said test head comprises a probe plate (14A) and base plate (14B) with each probe (12) being disposed with its head in the probe plate (14A) and its base in the base plate (14B).
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
39 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 30 wherein the number of holes comprising the matrix pattern is greater than the number of probes (12) and wherein the probes (12) have the capability of covering all holes.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 31 wherein the probes (12) are held with small retaining pressure in the magazine (10) so as to permit .easy withdrawal therefrom.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
62 words
An automatic fixturing system as set forth in claim 37 wherein all plates (27,28) of the magazine (10) have identical patterns of holes matching holes in the test head lower plate, said magazine plates comprising an elastomer plate (30) having slightly smaller diameter holes than the other plates for the purpose of lightly retaining the probes inserted through the combination of plates.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
88 words
An automatic testing system for the testing of printed circuit boards characterised by: a test head (14) containing a plurality of probes (12) disposed therein and comprising a probe plate (14A) and a base plate (14B), said probe and base plates being positioned in spaced relationship therebetween, the base end of all probes (12) being retained by the base plate (14B) and being in a predetermined matrix pattern, and the head end of the probes being retained in the probe plate (14A) and in a test point pattern.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
88 words
An automatic testing system for the testing of printed circuit boards characterised by: a test head (14) containing a plurality of probes (12) disposed therein and comprising a probe plate (14A) and a base plate (14B), said probe and base plates being positioned in spaced relationship therebetween, the base end of all probes (12) being retained by the base plate (14B) and being in a predetermined matrix pattern, and the head end of the probes being retained in the probe plate (14A) and in a test point pattern.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
34 words
An automatic testing system as set forth in claim 39 in which at least some of the probes (12) are disposed in a manner in which the base and head ends thereof are out-of-alignment.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
66 words
An automatic testing system as set forth in claim 40 further including a magazine (10) for temporarily storing the plurality of probes (12), means for supporting the test head (14) adjacent the magazine (10) and in a position to receive probes (12) from the magazine (10), and means (38) for transferring selected ones of the probes (12) from the magazine (10) to the test head (14).
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
35 words
An automatic testing system as set forth in claim 39 wherein one of said probe plate (14A) and base plate (14B) are movable slightly relative to the other so as to line the probes (12).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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